BENNETT'S MINUTES: County field lining up to knock off Tiger Cubs

Thursday, November 15, 2018
Caitlin Capps of South Putnam drives against Cloverdale’s Kassie Wade during action earlier this season. The teams meet in tonight’s opening game of the Putnam County tournament.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

This year’s Putnam County girls’ basketball tournament is set up to be devoid of drama, at least on the surface.

Greencastle has won four straight titles, and seven of the last nine, and is tied with Cloverdale for the best record at 4-1.

Greencastle and Cloverdale are paired on opposite sides of the bracket, and would meet in the finals if things go according to the records.

But the old adage of rivalries narrowing the gap between teams in tournaments such as this often proves to be true, and could very well happen again.

Cloverdale beat South Putnam pretty easily on the day before Halloween, but most observers expect the matchup to be closer than the 21-point margin the last time.

South Putnam’s Lexi Vanihel did not play in that game, and is a huge part of the Eagle attack. She returned to action in the Eagles’ second game and had 16 points that night in a win over Parke Heritage.

Senior center Caitlin Capps is still returning to form after an injury, and her playing time was limited in the first matchup.

Cloverdale is led by senior Tori Combs, who signed earlier this week to play volleyball and basketball at Lincoln Trail College in Illinois, and junior Sammie Shrum.

That Clover duo will be looking to bounce back strongly from Tuesday’s game at Class 3A No. 5 Danville, in which Combs was held to four points and Shrum to just three free throws.

The nightcap will feature a Tiger Cub program that has definitely had North’s number in recent times.

Greencastle has won the last 18 games over the Cougars, with North’s last win in the series coming on Jan. 25, 2008.

The game will be the first in Putnam County tournament competition for new Greencastle coach Tod Windlan, whose team has been — and still is — in a state of flux.

The blending of newcomers Madison Rodgers, daughter of Greencastle’s new principal, and the talented Shields sisters (Ella and Mia, who transferred from Hamilton Heights last month) with the returning players was moving along well until last Thursday.

Ella Shields, a sophomore and taller of the two sisters, broke her right pinkie finger in practice. She did not play in Saturday’s loss to Benton Central or Tuesday’s win over Southmont.

Her status is unknown for tonight.

Also looking to make a comeback is Claire Gillen, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder two years ago who did not play last year. She suffered a severe high ankle sprain toward the end of soccer season, but got her foot out of a walking boot last week and is working her way toward returning.

Veterans Jalyn Duff, Seelye Stoffregen, Allison Stevens and Bailey Shuee have been consistent performers.

North Putnam, meanwhile, is making great strides in its third year under Jarrod Duff.

Now-veteran Cougar players such as Hannah Sims, Baylee Osburn, Payton Lyons, Dana Tennis and Kinsey Young are turning the corner in their progress.

Freshmen Kyla Willis (a tough, poised point guard who can also score) and Brie Miller (a ferocious rebounder who dives into piles for loose balls like a football player going after a fumble) add athleticism and talent to what will be a much better Cougar team this year.

Putnam County girls' basketball tourney previews

Cloverdale (4-1) at South Putnam (1-2)

The coaches: Matthew Langdon is in his eighth year at Cloverdale. Brian Gardner is in his fourth year at South Putnam.

Special event: The game will be the first on South Putnam’s new basketball court.

On the airwaves: WREB-FM 94.3 will air the game.

So far: Cloverdale beat South Putnam 65-44, Riverton Parke 81-28, Clay City 72-42 and Shakamak 77-37 before losing at Class 3A No. Danville 55-32 on Tuesday.

South Putnam lost 65-44 to Cloverdale, beat Parke Heritage 56-54 and lost 47-37 to Edgewood.

Per-game scoring averages: Offense — Cloverdale 65.4 (28th best in state), South 45.7. Defense — Cloverdale 65.4, South 55.0.

History: Cloverdale won 65-44 in October in a game played at Central Elementary. South Putnam holds a 24-11 lead in the series over the past 15 years.

John Harrell prediction: Cloverdale 63, South Putnam 40.

Greencastle (4-1) vs. North Putnam (2-1)

The coaches: Tod Windlan is in his first year at Greencastle. Jarrod Duff is in his third year at North Putnam.

On the airwaves: WREB-FM 94.3 will air the game.

Unusual circumstances: Greencastle senior guard Jalyn Duff is the daughter of North Putnam’s head coach.

If the Tiger Cubs win the tournament, Duff would complete a perfect 12 of 12 career in county titles in volleyball and basketball.

So far: Greencastle beat Cascade 73-45, Edgewood 55-42 and Owen Valley 60-50 in overtime, lost 55-46 to Benton Central and beat Southmont 68-24.

Per-game scoring averages: Offense — Greencastle 60.4, North 39.4. Defense — Greencastle 43.2, North 36.7.

History: Greencastle won 53-17 in January and leads the series 23-3 over the past 15 years.

John Harrell prediction: Greencastle 58, North Putnam 32.

Recent girls' county tournament champions

2017 — Greencastle

2016 — Greencastle

2015 — Greencastle

2014 — Greencastle

2013 — South Putnam

2012 — South Putnam

2011 — Greencastle

2010 — Greencastle

2009 — Greencastle

2008 — Cloverdale

2007 — Cloverdale

2006 — South Putnam

2005 — South Putnam

2004 — South Putnam

2003 — North Putnam

2002 — North Putnam

2001 — North Putnam

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NOTE: Information courtesy of John Harrell’s Indiana High School Basketball website. No information available before 2001.

Marian tourney to be online

A full College Report summarizing Putnam County’s athletes competing collegiately, plus those starting winter sports seasons, will be upcoming in the next week or so.

One of the highlights has been the Marian volleyball team, with junior Taylor Nauert of North Putnam and freshman Maggie Meyer of Greencastle.

After winning the regular-season and tournament titles in the Crossroads League, the 28-5 Knights will host Faulkner (28-11) on Saturday in the NAIA national tournament.

The match will be telecast online at www.iscsportsnetwork.com starting at 7 p.m.

Also on Saturday, Greencastle grad Shelby Kallem of Hannibal-LaGrange University will run in the National Christian College Athletic Association national cross country meet at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo.

Kallem, a sophomore, finished fifth last week at the American Midwest Conference Championship to earn an automatic bid to the national meet.